Emterra Environmental, the company hired by the municipality to collect recyclables and garbage, attempted to meet its usual Tuesday pickup schedule, but was unable to complete the task.

Regional spokesman Darrell Neufeld said those areas that were scheduled to have trash collected on Tuesday should have their garbage picked up by today.

The delay is the latest in a string of issues that has caused garbage to pile up at the end of driveways in St. Catharines, Thorold, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie.

On Tuesday, the Region said garbage collection was slowed down by the recent winter weather.

But the delays were caused by issues unrelated to the cold and the snow.

Emterra has struggled with vehicles breaking down and staffing shortages.

Garbage that was supposed to be collected last Friday has still not been picked up and the Region said it is enforcing the terms of its contract with Emterra.

Catherine Habermebl, director of waste management services at the Region, said Tuesday that under the terms of the Region’s contract with Emterra, there are financial consequences for the company for failing to live up to its obligations. She said there were “legal issues” at play, so she would not detail what those consequences were other than to say they do not take the form of a penalty.

Neufeld said Emterra is trying to meet its pickup schedules this week. However, residents whose regular pickup is scheduled for Friday are being asked to bring their trash inside and put it back out on the curb for a Saturday morning pickup.

Christmas tree collection Jan. 13

People can get rid of their Christmas trees as Niagara Region does its annual collection Saturday, Jan. 13.

The Region asks that trees be placed at the end of driveways no later than 7 a.m. that day. Artificial trees are not collected.

All Christmas decorations — bulbs, tinsel, lights — must be removed prior to collection. Do not place trees on top of or inside a snow bank, and do not place them inside a bag, as it creates a problem when chipping.

Weather conditions may delay collection.

Residents can also take Christmas trees to a drop-off depot or landfill site.